Page 6 of Adventures in Spring

“Okay, I put our order in and they’ll have a table ready for us in thirty minutes.”

I finish up the pharmacy orders so that they’re ready for pickup and get my ‘out to dinner’ sign up. It’s colorful and flowery. Felicity makes all our signs and I asked for one without the girly frills. So of course I got flowers. Paxton at least got one with a house and lumber on it. I grumbled about it and Felicity said she’d make me a new one…it’s been two years now.

Emma giggles at my sign as she and Lukas walk by. I glare at both of them.

“Why are you giving me that look? I’m not the one laughing,” Lukas says to me.

“She’s your wife. That makes her an extension of you. So yes. ‘You’ are laughing at my sign.”

Emma outright laughs now and Lukas chuckles. I roll my eyes at both of them. I wish I had what they have. The way my brother looks at his wife…I can only hope that one day I find a woman that makes me feel that way.

“Ready to eat?” Felicity asks as she bounces over to us.

“Why are you so perky?” Lukas asks her.

“I know why.” Emma smiles. “I bet you just talked to Levi.”

Felicity’s cheeks turn red. “Shush.”

“Wait, you’re still talking to that guy?” Paxton frowns at her.

“You know I am. I told you that we’re together. He’s coming back in a few months on leave.”

“Coming here? Or back to Lake Renegade?” Paxton asks.

We met Levi earlier this year when we had the five-year anniversary of our parents passing. We also met the Mancini and Bastianini families. They were here visiting and when Emma had an ex stalking her, they came and helped us. Since then, they’ve become a big part of our lives. They’re family now, and Levi is part of their family. So I know he’s a good guy, but is anyone ever really good enough for your baby sister? Nope.

“Levi needs to come here so we can get to know him better,” I say to Felicity.

“Only if all of you promise to be nice to him. Please.”

The three of us look at Felicity and smile.

“I hate all of you.” She squints at us.

We all wrap her in a group bear hug.

“But we love youuuu.” Lukas laughs.

It’s a ten minute walk from our store to Arturo’s. It’s the beginning of spring and it’s cool out. Spring in Wintervale can be unpredictable. It’s my favorite season, I love that in one day we could have sun, rain and snow.

“It’s nice out tonight. But the forecast says snow tomorrow,” Emma says.

“Noooo. Seriously?” Paxton sighs.

Paxton hates winter, he’s a summer lover. The four of us all love a different season. Lukas loves winter and Felicity loves fall. Our parents used to call us by the seasons. They said that from when we were babies, each of us liked a different season. I miss them so much. They died together in an avalanche, Lukas was with them when it happened and it took a few days before we found them. They were huddled in a tiny cave with six other people. Every year we have a get together to remember all of them. The families of the other skiers come and join us. It’s nice being able to catch up with them.

When we get seated at Arturo’s, only a few of the tables are taken. When I look over at one of them, I see the beautiful woman from earlier today. As hard as I try not to stare, I can’t help it.

“That’s the new science teacher,” Felicity says to us as she waves at the other table.

It takes me a second to realize that she’s waving at my smiling woman. She’s sitting with an older couple who look like her parents. Two guys that could be her brothers…at least I hope they are. And two adorable kids who are laughing and having a great time. I just can’t take my eyes off her.

“Her name is Emiko Yamaguchi and the two little kids are hers. I talked to her a little when they were in the store earlier.”

Emiko. Even her name is beautiful.

“You said she’s a single mom?” I ask.

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